A concert version of Meredith Willson's The Music Man, performed by an African-American cast, plays the New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Two River Theater beginning March 13.

Stephanie Umoh
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

A collaboration between the two performing arts spaces, The Music Man is directed by NAACP and Obie Award-winning director Robert O'Hara and features music direction by Kenny Seymour. Performances run March 13-16 at Two River Theater in Red Bank and March 21-23 at NJPAC in Newark.

"America’s favorite musical about big brass bands and small-town spirit will be performed by an African-American cast," press notes state. "The River City, Iowa setting will be based on historical accounts of black communities established during the Great Migration as former slaves moved across the U.S. following the Civil War."

The creative team includes scenic designer Craig Napoliello, costume designer Dede Ayite, lighting designer Alex Jainchill, sound designer Lindsay Jones and associate sound designer Jake Zerrer. The casting is by Cindy Tolan & Adam Caldwell, and the stage manager is David Apichell. The Music Man won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1957 and the first Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album. The musical, which features music, lyrics and a book by Willson, tells the story of traveling con man Harold Hill, who arrives in River City, IA, intending to sell the town on a fake marching band. His plans become complicated when he falls for local piano teacher and librarian Marian Paroo.

"NJPAC is thrilled to launch a collaboration with Two River Theater with one of the most beloved musicals of all time, especially through this fresh new take by Robert O'Hara," John Schreiber, president and CEO of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, said in a previous statement. "Both NJPAC and Two River are dedicated to engaging our respective communities through diverse programming, and I can't wait to hear Meredith Willson's great score performed by a fantastic cast of African-American theatre talents."

"As a playwright — and go-to director of others' original work — Robert O'Hara brings to life the too-often-untold stories of African Americans in ways that are dynamic and highly theatrical," John Dias, artistic director of Two River Theater, added. "He's also got a great love of American theatre traditions — particularly musicals — that he approaches with an equal measure of reverence and sassiness. We are excited to see this great American classic through his inimitable lens."